Trapped Freedom - chap. 9

“Someone had lived in this room, before me. Someone like me, or I prefer to believe so” (62).  I believe this story doesn’t start with Offred, but with who was there before her, since every story has its bigger picture. In fact, Gilead's control over the Handmaid’s physical space - Offred’s room - mirrors the regime’s command over her freedom of expression, specifically love and sexuality, making Offred’s diligence vital in order to protect her sanity.  

Offred decides to explore her small room, but not as one would explore a hotel room, quickly opening every door and cabinet - usually to find the bathroom and the mini fridge (64). This search was deep and intriguing, scrutinizing every little detail day by day, until “I [Offred] saw that, the evidence left by two people, of love or something like it” (64). This proves how Gilead has control over sex and sexuality. This discovery shocked Offred since it has been so long since she felt loved.  In this new era men and women couldn’t even speak to each other. This whole part had been taken away from them, they could not be desired nor desire someone else however, what she finds indicates that not too long ago they could, people were free to share a common feeling with some beloved person. Never stopping her quest, this young lady kept looking, she was going to search every inch of the floor, even this message she eventually found, “Nolite te bastardes carborundorum” (65). It had been scratched on the floor and, “hadn’t yet been discovered. Except by me, for whom it was intended. It was intended for whoever came next” (65). Offred is pleased to find this hidden message, that she is in some way communicating with the woman before her although Offred does not understand the latin words. After some research, I found that the message meant “Don’t let the bastards grind you down” (Lindsay Denninger). In my opinion, this secret means that the city has power on love, that they control it and that they take advantage of it. The note is giving a warning to Offred; she should not bend for the Commanders, she should not let them take advantage of her like they do to the others and that she should never let them break her. This information ads to our view of their world and their Commanders, they are not afraid to use others, meaning Offred should be careful since they are not afraid to use their power. Finally, Offred went looking for confirmation about her discoveries, she asked Rita about the woman who lived before her. The Martha gave her this answer, “Which one?” (66). This is the final piece, this answer lets us know that there had been many before her and this meant that there would be plenty after. The other woman hadn’t worked out (66) the way they intended, I believe she was true to her message; she didn’t let them grind her down and that meant she was probably hated and not wanted, for staying true to her person. The Handmaid should follow into her predecessor footsteps in order to truly see for herself that Gilead has nothing good to offer, it does not have mercy for her. Although this is something only Offred has been able to discover, I hope she will somehow pass on her discoveries.

In the end, there is always a bigger picture or a background to things, it only has to be discovered. Offred’s room only helps us see how Gilead encloses them of their freedom. This being said, I wonder if she will share with the others her new knowledge, if she is going to take action on it and if she is going to be brave enough to face Gilead with what she knows.